How Do You Spell CHICANA?

Pronunciation: [ʃɪkˈe͡ɪnə] (IPA)

The spelling of "Chicana" is important to understand the pronunciation and meaning of the word. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), "Chicana" is spelled /tʃɪˈkɑːnə/. This indicates that the "ch" sound is pronounced like the "ch" in "cheese," and the stress is on the second syllable. The vowels are pronounced as follows: "i" like the "i" in "bit," "a" like the "a" in "father," and the final "a" is pronounced as "uh." "Chicana" refers to a woman of Mexican-American heritage or identity.

CHICANA Meaning and Definition

1. Chicana is a term used to describe a woman of Mexican descent who is born or raised in the United States. The term emerged during the Chicano Movement in the 1960s and 1970s as a way for Mexican-American women to assert their identity and presence within both Mexican and American societies.

   Chicana is often used as a self-identifier by women who find a sense of pride and empowerment in their dual identity, acknowledging both their Mexican heritage and their American upbringing. However, it is important to note that the term is not limited to just cultural or nationalistic notions, but also encompasses political, social, and intellectual dimensions.

   Chicanas often face intersecting challenges stemming from both gender and ethnic discrimination. They navigate their identity within the context of a patriarchal society, confronting not only sexism but also the marginalization and racism experienced by Mexican Americans. While Chicanas share aspects of their identity with Mexican women, their experiences also reflect the unique realities of being Mexican-American.

   Chicana has become a significant term within the literature, art, and activism of Mexican-American communities. It represents a form of resistance against the erasure of women's experiences from dominant narratives. By embracing and celebrating their identity as Chicanas, these women strive to reclaim their voice, affirm their presence, and contribute to the broader social, political, and cultural movements in both the United States and Mexico.

Common Misspellings for CHICANA

• chicen
• chicage
• chinane
• chican
• chiina
• chickne
• chickn
• chicagi
• chicka
• chilan
• chicag
• chicora
• chica
• chicao
• chicaog
• chicaho
• chimany
• chinna
• chigaga
• chicagao
• chickns
• cimana
• chyana
• cheana
• chimaa
• chicanaw
• chicanoa
• chocana
• Chickata
• Ciconana
• Chiyada
• Chicaraa
• Chickara
• Chycan
• Phocada
• Chincanae

Etymology of CHICANA

The word "Chicana" is derived from the Spanish term "mexicana", which refers to a woman from Mexico or of Mexican descent. However, the term "Chicana" emerged in the United States during the 1960s as a form of self-identification for Mexican-American women. It was primarily used by women involved in the Chicano movement, a civil rights movement focused on the rights and empowerment of Mexican-Americans. By adopting the term "Chicana", these women were reclaiming their cultural heritage and asserting their unique experiences as both Mexican and American. The term has since evolved and is now used more broadly to refer to all women of Mexican descent residing in the United States.

Similar spelling word for CHICANA

• Chicano.